Bollywood / Indian Music & Film Reviews

2 States is the first film to be shot at the Indian Institute of Management

Karan Johar’s 2 States has become the first film to be shot at the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Till date, it has seemed impossible for a Bollywood film to get permission to shoot at the highly reputable Business institute, yet 2 States managed the impossible.

As Chetan Bhagat’s novel was originally based on IIM-A, it would have seemed unrealistic to film it at any other place than IIM-A. According to a source, it wasn’t an easy process getting permission to shoot at the institute and took a while before the final go ahead was given to the makers, after changes had to be made to the script.

The director of 2 States, Abhishek Varman, stated ‘Shooting at IIM-A was actually a very good experience. The faculty was really helpful. It was also nice to be able to portray the college life in the very campus where Krish and Ananya actually meet in the book. And yes, this is the first time they have let anyone shoot on their campus’.

Asides from shooting solely on the campus, the film was also shot in real locations across the city ‘It was important to capture life in that city and not cheat by shooting in, say Mumbai, and passing it off as Ahmedabad. The local elements — people and buses — add to the realistic element of the song’ said a crew member.

2 States is a romantic tale of a couple who meet at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and fall in love,starring Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor in lead roles. The film is directed by Abhishek Varman and produced by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and Dharma Productions. It is released worldwide by UTV Motion Pictures on18th April 2014.